Ok, I know that organ donation has been discussed here more than once, but I couldn't find anything that addressed my particular question/issue........so here goes.
In this year's presidential election, many of the exit polls showed that people voted based on their "family/moral values." It seems they (not me!) voted for Bush because they felt he stood for those values, especially in regards to gay marriage, abortion, etc. I was very distraught after the election because I hear these people talking but I don't see these people taking moral action! Organ donation is just one of the areas that angers me.
How can the majority of this country stand on such moral high-ground and then show such PATHETIC organ donation numbers? People are dying because they can't get an organ when there are plenty available, but they get buried with the patient! How can you proclaim to be such a good person with such high moral values when you aren't even willing to donate your or your family's organs in the event of their death? I really don't see that as being a whole lot less than murder.
I'm not even a nurse yet, so I'm not right in the middle of this yet, but I do dread it! Anyway, this is just something that disturbs me deeply and I wanted to get your take on it, especially those of you, if any, that are not willing to donate. I'd like an explanation!
I agree. I feel punch-drunk from all of the hits I have taken for my beliefs. I had been enjoying sharing ideas but if this is the true nature of this web site I can find other things to do with my time. Passionate opinions I can take but I should not be a punching bag.
Ah, don't judge the whole board by a few punches in this thread. It's really a good board. I apologize if I've personally punched you. I've tried not to. (You seem to have gotten a few jabs in as well. LOL)
You can guess by the # of posts that I've had that I've had a few punches thrown my way as well, as well as a few "interesting" pm's. Hang around, we need people out of the mainstream to keep the mob mentality from taking over.
I agree. I feel punch-drunk from all of the hits I have taken for my beliefs. I had been enjoying sharing ideas but if this is the true nature of this web site I can find other things to do with my time. Passionate opinions I can take but I should not be a punching bag.
Tweety is right - this is a good bulletin board and I personally have enjoyed these longer debates recently. Lots of interesting perspectives. Ocassionally there will be a blunt comment made . . usually people here are able to backtrack a bit and apologize. I've done it myself in the heat of a passionate debate - usually it isn't meant to insult. As everyone realizes, intentions can be misintrepreted since we can't see each other. We also don't realize sometimes how the things we write appear to others.
I share some of your concerns about the government (my husband is even worse than me). Keep writing - this particular topic has been enlightening to me as I realize we have alot of education to do for the public.
I AM rabidly anti-impaired driver (drugs or alcohol) having lost a good friend who was riding a motorcycle home from work which was less than a mile away. No helmet. But a drunk driver hit him and dragged him for a block before realizing it ... and this guy had been arrested many times before.
It also bothers me to have to call the Donor Network, although they have always been very polite with me.
I also think that the death of those waiting for an organ should be attributed to the disease/injury that causes that organ to fail (ie cirrosis killed the liver, defect caused the heart to fail, etc). It seems unfair to give any responsibility to a non-donor for the death of those that did not receive the organ, even though the organ very likely would prolong their life.
Laura, could not agree with you more!
I feel about transplantation the way I feel about NICU and prenatal care (which is not in any way a slam - I nurse renal transplant patients). There's all this money for an end-point treatment, for lack of a better phrase, but not nearly enough funding for prevention: health care to reduce hypertension, control diabetes, monitor lithium levels. Australia has a strongish health care system, but in Indigenous communities the incidence of diabetes, hypertension and renal failure are extraordinarily high, with too few resources for monitoring, education and treatment, and it's the same with prenatal care.
I also have a question for NurseGuy - why is it that you chose not to wear a helmet? I appreciate that you're against government intrusion into private matters, but I'm wondering if there's another reason as well.
I feel about transplantation the way I feel about NICU and prenatal care (which is not in any way a slam - I nurse renal transplant patients). There's all this money for an end-point treatment, for lack of a better phrase, but not nearly enough funding for prevention: health care to reduce hypertension, control diabetes, monitor lithium levels. Australia has a strongish health care system, but in Indigenous communities the incidence of diabetes, hypertension and renal failure are extraordinarily high, with too few resources for monitoring, education and treatment, and it's the same with prenatal care.
I also have a question for NurseGuy - why is it that you chose not to wear a helmet? I appreciate that you're against government intrusion into private matters, but I'm wondering if there's another reason as well.
I will try to explain the best I can. To me and a lot of other motorcycle riders riding our bikes is the last freedom. To us there is NOTHING that compares to riding in the wind. I have heard it compared to riding a horse but I do not ride horses so I do not know. Being told I have to wear a helmet detracts from the experience. I wear a helmet in traffic and I wear one all of the time in Ga because it is the law. When I go to a state without a helmet law though I choose not to wear one. It is an experience. To me riding a horse and jumping out of airplanes is much more dangerous but to the people who enjoy these activities it is fun. So in a nutshell, being told I must wear a helmet and actually wearing one detracts from the experience.
Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.
Ok Nurse Guy, I have to ask you something. I understand that wearing a helmet may detract from the experience of riding a motorcycle. Of course that's your choice. But what would you feel about a patient with new HIV diagnosis who said, "I never wore a condom because it detracted from the experience" or a nurse who says, " I don't wear gloves to start IVs because I can't feel the vein, I'll take my chances" Cancer patient, " I never wore sunscreen because it made me feel all oily" Your kids "I don't want to wear my seatbelt because it's a pain" Dale Earnhardt (may he rest in peace) "I don't like the harness head stabilizer, it's constricing" The way I see it, it's just a matter of prudent self protection. Is it different that none of these things is "the law?" I'm sure you do other things to protect yourself, but you won't wear a helmet because you don't like someone telling you you have to. I think my kids need me around for a few more years, so I protect myself for them. It doesn't bother me that the government tells me I have to wear my seatbelt, I would wear it anyway - big deal.
Also, I think you will find that the ethics of nursing are just a little different than the ethics of engineering. There are very few black and white situations in nursing. I have found that many of my life experiences haven't prepared me for the complexities of caring for people during some of the most traumatic, tragic and heartbreaking situations of their lives. Patients make unwise decisions, families make emotional decisions, and you can't do anything about it. You are seeing aspects of healthcare from the outside right now, but the perspective will be different once you are "in the trenches."
By the way, I'm not trying to change/slam your opinions, I'm just sharing ideas - question, response, rebuttal.
I feel about transplantation the way I feel about NICU and prenatal care (which is not in any way a slam - I nurse renal transplant patients). There's all this money for an end-point treatment, for lack of a better phrase, but not nearly enough funding for prevention: health care to reduce hypertension, control diabetes, monitor lithium levels. Australia has a strongish health care system, but in Indigenous communities the incidence of diabetes, hypertension and renal failure are extraordinarily high, with too few resources for monitoring, education and treatment, and it's the same with prenatal care.
Unfortunately a lot of diseases are not preventable. People get lupus or they don't.
Ok Nurse Guy, I have to ask you something. I understand that wearing a helmet may detract from the experience of riding a motorcycle. Of course that's your choice. But what would you feel about a patient with new HIV diagnosis who said, "I never wore a condom because it detracted from the experience" or a nurse who says, " I don't wear gloves to start IVs because I can't feel the vein, I'll take my chances" Cancer patient, " I never wore sunscreen because it made me feel all oily" Your kids "I don't want to wear my seatbelt because it's a pain" Dale Earnhardt (may he rest in peace) "I don't like the harness head stabilizer, it's constricing" The way I see it, it's just a matter of prudent self protection. Is it different that none of these things is "the law?" I'm sure you do other things to protect yourself, but you won't wear a helmet because you don't like someone telling you you have to. I think my kids need me around for a few more years, so I protect myself for them. It doesn't bother me that the government tells me I have to wear my seatbelt, I would wear it anyway - big deal.
Also, I think you will find that the ethics of nursing are just a little different than the ethics of engineering. There are very few black and white situations in nursing. I have found that many of my life experiences haven't prepared me for the complexities of caring for people during some of the most traumatic, tragic and heartbreaking situations of their lives. Patients make unwise decisions, families make emotional decisions, and you can't do anything about it. You are seeing aspects of healthcare from the outside right now, but the perspective will be different once you are "in the trenches."
By the way, I'm not trying to change/slam your opinions, I'm just sharing ideas - question, response, rebuttal.
Wearing condoms protects the other person. Nurses who don't wear gloves to start IVs' (a lot of them) put themselves at risk but their actions may DIRECTLY harm someone else they are caring for so this is a professional question. Cancer patient knew the risks and took them. I am responsible for my kids until they are on their own. Dale E. made his adult choice and harmed himself. What do the ethics of nursing have to do with my wearing a helmet? My point is, to be blunt, what business is it of anybody's whether I wear a helmet or not? WHY do you even care? Do you go rock climbing, speed boating, hang gliding? I used to build multi-story steel buildings for a living. I would be hundreds of feet up in the air with nothing between me and the ground except a narrow 6 inch beam. Do we stop building because it is dangerous? I absolutely have no clue as to why anyone would even care if I wear a motorcycle helmet or not. If people want to crusade against something then crusade against lenient sentences for drunk drivers. I DO NOT ride without a helmet as a defiant act I do it because I enjoy it. I do not have to agree with my patient's life choices to be a good nurse. People who make, in my opinion, wrong choices in life will get my best care. My biggest question is why do people even care if we ride without a helmet? And please, any reason except "it makes my insurance rates go up". Nonsense lawsuits do that.
I am an organ donor. I have been for the last 11 years. I have a signed card next to my insurance card...where it is sure to be found...I am registered through the DMV, through our organ donation procurment center and my family is aware. I believe strongly in organ donation, that is why I am registered as such. Many people have religeous beliefs, personal stories etc. I can't scorn people for not donating. I do wish they could see first hand what it could do to change people's lives though.
I know first hand what it can do... I donated my kidney to my sister. It will be 10 years this Christmas.. my sister is doing great Thank God and I have been blessed ever since... It was the right thing to do and I have no regrets.
Specializes in Telemetry, ICU, Resource Pool, Dialysis.
Sorry NurseGuy, I must have grossly misunderstood you. I just got the impression from many of your earlier comments that the biggest reason you don't wear a helmet is because the government says you have to. It's none of my business whether you wear one or not, I was simply asking a question. I don't think anyone here has crusaded against anything, but there are much more worthy causes than helmets, like promoting education about organ donation. The ethics of nursing have nothing whatsoever to do with you wearing a helmet. I was just pointing out that you may be well educated in the world of engineering and construction, but your experience in the world of nursing is limited at this point. You made some comments about the organ donation process that you had no experience to back up. Also, condoms protect both partners, nurses wear gloves to protect themselves. Organ donation is (and always will be) a voluntary process, which can save lives. The original question was basically, why don't more people donate organs?
I absolutely have no clue as to why anyone would even care if I wear a motorcycle helmet or not.
Believe it or not, sometimes the government and other people, such as nurses, care about people. We know wearing a helmet provides better outcomes in an accident, and people who don't wear helmets have accidents, same as people who do wear helmets. Forgive us please, we're only trying to do what's right. I could go on a bit more, but won', but what's so hard about understanding that people care. It's not that I'm some evil person that wants to infringe on your personal rights because I'm power hungry, I sincerely care about public health. :rotfl:
But I understand your point. Where does one draw the line at personal freedoms. Demand someone wears a helmet today, and then demand they loose weight tomorrow. :)
This is a very interesting thread. Many years ago my driver's license was marked down as an "organ donor." However, I met a lady many years ago who warned me not to be an organ donor. She said she had a family member who was an organ donor and that her family member was charged for the organ donation surgery. Is this true? She sure sounded convincing to me. I am aware that prison inmates receive organ donations. Can I donate my organs with the stipulation that they not be used for prison inmates? The thought of donating my organs and having them used for a child molester sickens me. Thanks for any information. :)
Keep writing - this particular topic has been enlightening to me as I realize we have alot of education to do for the public.
Tweety, BSN, RN
36,273 Posts
Ah, don't judge the whole board by a few punches in this thread. It's really a good board. I apologize if I've personally punched you. I've tried not to. (You seem to have gotten a few jabs in as well. LOL)
You can guess by the # of posts that I've had that I've had a few punches thrown my way as well, as well as a few "interesting" pm's. Hang around, we need people out of the mainstream to keep the mob mentality from taking over.